The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-04

ls always n mistake.
81 will be mistaken twice then, for
your benefit, and to prove myself by no
means fool in your eyes. You will sit
here and criticise your neghbors until IL
Is time for you to return once more to the
arms-I beg pardon-the society of Ger
aid Massareene.
"You have an excellent wit, " SAYS she,
with an untroubled smile.
lyon cannot, however, deny the truth
that lies in itp'
"Why should y You are such an ex-
tremely clever young man that one must
believe you can see through the proverb-
ial stone wall"
altogether one of affection upon his fu-
ture wife.
'Then you don't deny it''' he says.
"Certainly not. / should welcome the
advent of any one who would relieve me
Il mean you-of the burden of your
that is my-presence.
She laughs as she gives voice TO this
little mpertinence-made all the more
pointed by the affectation of modesty
that runs through it. Grant, frowns
openly. II the day should ever come in
which he might claim this willful lady as
his own-if-(it seems very improbable
at this moment specially SOY he will GER
tainly teach her such lesson in propriety
as she Will not be likely to forget for the
remainder of her days.
Don't trouble yourself to try to be DO
lite, even in ridicule, " he says, in a voice
that suggests good deal of hidden wrath
beneath the forced calmness of his de-
meanor But even you and Mr.. Massa-
reene cannot dance together all night
without laying yourselves open TO un-
kindly comment An effete civilization
has SO ordained it, that the world has
grown to look on such vulgar exhibitions
of affection as-indecentn
Miss Grey lets her fan drop to her side,
and brings her hands together with
sudden sharp movement.
How dare youN" she says, in a low
tone.
"Hahl At last l have touched YOU.
my pretty cousin!" cries he, gayly. "a
little of that revenge, so wisely called
sweet has fallen to my portion tonight.
Why, you look positively pale Come,
pull yourself together; call upon that in
dominitable spirit in which you pride
yourself, and give me back my blowi
What-still no words? no seething sar-
casIn, no pointed barb environed? PshawI
gave you credit for more 60 than you
possess"
His manner is maddening Miss
Grey, rising slowly to her feet, with
parted lips, through which the painting
breath comes hurriedly, surveys him
with glance that would have subdued
most men. But not Grant Boyle
He rises, too and picking up her fan
with n nonchalant grace, hands it to her
with slight bow full of mockery
"NOu look charming an ~ hn sovu
with that naughty expression on your
handsome lips Flattery is not only yul-
gar, know, but the crudest of mistakes
nowadays; but you will forgive me for
it, when you see how feeling has carried
me away. l am devoted admirer of ar
tistic effects. This, of yours, is perfect.
/ have always considered you pretty, my
cousin, but never really realized the fact
that you could be beautiful until now."
You run it very fine, ~ says Miss Grey,
in a voice so subdued to be almost a
whisper. "You are daring. It would
hardly suit you, perhaps, to be thrown
over by the heiress Of the season."
1.-THE heiress of the season would not
so serve a devoted lover" replies he,
still with that light mocking laughter on
his sneering lips "If she did-why-she
might cease to be the heiress of the sea-
son.
He had dealt his little blow in a soft
undertone, but it tells. 1t is all so true!
Her uncle, Timothy Boyle, her aunt,
Mrs Brand, the two whose wills make
her an heiress, could as easily unmake
her, were she to go contrary to their
wishes. And they have decreed that she
is to marry Grant Boyle, the son of their
dearly loved dead brother, the first hus-
band of Lady Valworth. A whim on
their parts. A serious matter with the
girl now standing pale with passionate
anger-with head down bent and heart
that madly fights with cold reason for a
victory. To give up this man and fu-
ture that will land her on the worlds
stage as one of the richest commoners in
England, or to resign this man and
cleave to that other, who can give her
only very modest income and heart
all gold. ITO be, or not to be?'' This
struggle is sharp, bitter, but short lived.
She has been too well trained to willingly
barter all for love. Cold reason wins the
day, and the heart, sobbing, rebellious,
fades into the background.
"As to the devoted lover part" she
says at last, with smile as careless as
his own, II will let you off all that sort
of thing. We shall fulfill our destiny.
you and I've shall marry, and by such
H.s"i' Suih ihohey, anu We snail ole In
all probability in the odor of sanctity-
but of love, thank you, we will say
nothing"
IAN excellent arrangement. They
say those who love deepest say least
about it. Shall we pose, then, as friends9"
"The least of all, " returns she, with
an angry flash from her large eyes
what! neither friend nor lovers''
81 have said So"
Nor friend, nor lover, but only hus-
band" laughs he. "a very unique lit
tie affair altogether"
Miss Grey, at last may return to
you, says low voice at her elbow.
With convulsive start she turns, and.
as If involuntarily, holds out her hand |
to Massareene. There is something in |
the fond kind, ugly face that now at this |
instant-when her soul is filled with hor- |
ror OF him whom she has promised to |
marry-appeals to her strongly.
"fes, yes-at lastln she murmurs. |
brokenly, and moves away with him |
without so much as parting glance at
Grant Boyle.